Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/41

Rh Maharaja Gulab Singh remained a staunch ally of the British during the Indian Mutiny, and sent a contingent of 2000 strong, 200 cavalry, and 6 guns, under the command of his eldest son and heir-apparent. Prince Ranabir Singh, to help the English in the deliverance of Delhi. The British offered an Ilaqua in the province of Oudh to the Maharaja for his valuable assistance; but, he declined it saying what he did was out of friendship and loyalty and not as a mercenary. Lord Lawrence, the then Viceroy and Governor-General, highly appreciated this, and in addition to several recognitions, assured the Maharaja that should lineal heirs fail him, and no formal adoption have been made, his wishes in the matter would be respected. He was likewise exempted from the payment of tribute. Maharaja Gulab Singh died in 1877 A.D. and his son Ranabir Singh ascended the Gadi. He followed the policy of his father and remained a firm ally of the English. He died in 1885 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Partab Singh, the present ruler of Kashmir.

During Maharaja Partab Singh's regime several improvements were inaugurated, such as the survey for laying out of a railway-line from Sialkot to Jammu and further on to Shrinagar, conservation of water-power for industrial purposes, opening of canals for irrigation, and introduction of sericulture on an extensive scale. But before these and various other projects could be thoroughly worked up, the internal troubles of the State so far worried the Maharaja, that he decided to keep himself aloof from the administration for a time; and, with the advice of the British Government, a State Council was appointed under the president-ship of Raja Amar Singh, the Maharaja's youngest brother. The Maharaja resumed the administration of the State in 1893 A.D. Since that time, several improvements in the resources of the country and the modes of administration have been carried out and Kashmir has taken a rank with the model States in India.

The insignia of the order of G. C. S. I. was conferred upon the Maharaja in the year 1892 A.D., and subsequently, in the year 1896 A.D. he was given the honorary rank of Major-General by the British Government. Maharaja Sir Partab Singh sent his army to fight along with the British troops in the expeditions of the Black Mountain, the Tirah, and the Agror Valley. On each of these occasions the services rendered by the troops of His Highness the Maharaja were greatly appreciated. In the Tirah campaign, the Maharaja's battery gained a special name for their remarkable activity, vigilance, and valour.

The State army consists of two mountain batteries, one horse artillery and one garrison battery, one squadron of Kashmir Lancers, one troop bodyguard cavalry, seven regiments of Infantry, and four Companies of Sappers and miners. Out of this the State maintains a force of 3,370, Imperial service troops.

The total area of the state is 81,000 square miles with a population of about 30 lacs, and an average revenue of 93 lacs of rupees.

Major-General His Highness Maharaja Sir Partab Singh Bahadur G.C.S.I., the present ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, is entitled to a salute of 19 guns.